For generations, Ghana’s relationship with the sea has largely been about fishing. But the government is now looking at the country’s marine and aquatic resources through a much bigger economic lens.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Union Commission (AUC), has started work on a Blue Economy Commission (Enabling) Bill to create a legal framework for developing the sector.
The ambition is straightforward: make Ghana’s waters work harder for the economy without destroying the resources that millions of people depend on.
The proposed law is expected to improve coordination among institutions and provide clearer direction for activities linked to Ghana’s oceans and other aquatic resources.
Beyond fishing
The blue economy is much bigger than fishing.
Ghana’s coastline supports fishing communities, ports, transport businesses, tourism operators and hotels. Aquaculture is also growing, while the country has opportunities in marine research, logistics, coastal tourism, renewable energy and other ocean-based activities.
The problem is that these activities involve different government agencies and sectors, which can make coordination difficult.
Fred Antwi, Executive Director of MoFAD, said the proposed legislation is intended to address that problem.
“Developing the Blue Economy Commission Bill is more than drafting legislation,” he said. “It is about creating the legal foundation needed to coordinate Ghana’s blue economy and ensure that our marine and aquatic resources contribute to sustainable national development.”
That coordination could become increasingly important as Ghana looks for new sources of investment, jobs and economic growth.
Where the jobs could come from
For ordinary Ghanaians, the value of the blue economy will ultimately be measured by what it does for livelihoods.
A stronger aquaculture industry, for example, could create work not only for fish farmers but also for people involved in feed production, processing, transportation, cold storage and marketing.
The same applies to coastal tourism and maritime services.
A more organised blue economy could create opportunities for engineers, marine scientists, technicians, logistics operators, environmental specialists, hospitality workers and technology professionals.
It could also help businesses move further up the value chain.
Instead of simply catching fish, for instance, Ghana can create more value through processing, packaging, cold-chain logistics and export.
That is where the blue economy becomes an economic development issue rather than simply an environmental one.
But the resource is not limitless
There is a catch.
Ghana cannot build a lasting industry from resources that are being depleted.
For fishing communities, declining fish stocks directly affect incomes and food security. Pollution and coastal degradation can also threaten tourism, fisheries and other businesses that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.
The proposed framework therefore has to balance two objectives: getting more economic value from the sea while protecting the sea itself.
Dr. Abdul-Razak Saeed, Head of Environment and Climate at UNDP Ghana, said strong partnerships would be necessary to develop an effective framework.
UNDP is providing technical and policy support to the government under its Regional Bureau for Africa Blue Economy Project, funded by the European Union.
Building the rules
Dr. Godwin Djokoto, an ocean governance and maritime law expert at the University of Ghana and consultant for the Bill, said the process will begin with a review of existing national, regional and international laws.
The exercise will identify gaps in Ghana’s current legal and institutional arrangements before a draft Bill is prepared.
An initial draft is expected within 30 days, followed by consultations with government agencies, civil society, academia, traditional authorities, businesses and youth groups.
That consultation will matter because the blue economy cuts across several parts of the economy.
A fisheries decision can affect tourism. Coastal development can affect communities. Maritime transport is linked to trade. Environmental decisions can determine whether fishing and tourism businesses survive.
The bigger opportunity
Ghana has spent years discussing the need to diversify its economy and create more productive jobs.
The ocean could be part of that answer.
But unlocking that opportunity will require more than a new law. Ghana will need investment, technology, skilled workers, reliable infrastructure and businesses capable of turning marine resources into higher-value products and services.
The proposed Blue Economy Commission Bill is therefore an important first step.
Its success will ultimately depend on what happens after the legislation is passed: whether it helps attract investment, supports local businesses, creates jobs and, importantly, protects the marine resources on which those businesses depend.
For Ghana, the question is no longer simply how much wealth can be taken from the sea.
It is how much sustainable economic value can be built around it.
